Saturday March 7th 2026 - Strade Bianche Donne: Siena - Siena (133 km)
Heroic images of riders shrouded in clouds of dust in an enchanting Tuscan hillscape: it can only be Strade Bianche. The 133‑kilometre hilly race features 32.6 kilometres of sterrati this year, spread over eleven gravel sectors. That is less than in previous editions, but the race remains a relentless test of endurance with 2,226 metres of climbing. The roll of honour includes record‑holding riders with two victories each: Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky and Annemiek van Vleuten.
After just ten kilometres the riders hit the first, flat gravel sector of 2.4 kilometres. It looks like a gentle introduction, but that is deceptive, because a short stretch of asphalt is immediately followed by a second sector of 4.8 kilometres, almost entirely uphill and with gradients reaching double digits. After a rolling sterrato of 4.4 kilometres comes the longest continuous stretch of asphalt of the day, setting up the approach to San Martino in Grania: 9.4 kilometres of gravel, mostly uphill, and the hardest sector of the race.
In Asciano, at 338 metres the highest point of the day, the route returns to asphalt before the riders face the shortest gravel sector: only 600 metres, but once again with a vicious gradient. After that they tackle, among others, the notorious Colle Pinzuto, opening at around 15%, and the punchy climb to Le Tolfe. In the finale, Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe return, draining whatever strength is left.
After the final gravel sector, twelve kilometres remain to Siena. From a descent, the road first drags uphill at a false flat before the finishing climb suddenly ramps up under the city gate. In the last kilometre, the first part rises at around 12%, before easing slightly just ahead of the finish. The riders then race onto the Piazza del Campo, where a heroic winner is traditionally crowned.
Strade Bianche Donne 2026 - favourites
Computer prediction💻, Expected Win (xW):
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Name
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Team
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Win %
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🦄 Lotte Kopecky
*The unicorn is our joker, nice old-fashioned based on feeling
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